Q: I live in London and I am currently making arrangements to emigrate to Treviso, Italy. I have a UK Spec Fulvia Coupe S3 1.3, which I would like to take with me, I would be very grateful if you could give me an idea of what it is like to run a Fulvia in Italy.
1. How much is car tax, and insurance (I am 32)
2. Parts availability or lack of.
3. Any restrictions on running old cars?

A: Car tax is normally the VAT rate (20%) of the price calculated by specialist magazines (Ruoteclassiche). If you were officially classified as "permanently emigrated" by the Italian authorities, you are entitled to return to Italy with your car tax-free. The Italian consulate has all the necessary forms. Insurance can be expensive: for a classic car it is better to obtain a specialist policy (about 250,000 lire per year: third party only); consult suitable car magazines.
Spare parts are hard to get and very expensive. Buy as much as possible in England before you leave. Your aim is to build a stock of spares for a few years. In order to get licensed and road-worthy, the car will have to comply with current regulations which set strict emission standards that the Fulvia cannot meet. I think that you can get an exemption on the basis of its classic car status but for this reason you should contact a local classic car club which will provide all the necessary information. Treviso is particularly well provided with classic car clubs.
- Andrea -